042816 CKC April "Gilded Lily" kit, page 4

 

Well, I've played along with all the CKC challenges this month, 

but I have had a very old photo on my desk for awhile that begged to be scrapped.

Actually a photocopy, it still manages to perfectly capture the patina of the original.

This is my Great Uncle Ned who died almost 85 years ago of polio 

when he was fifteen years old - my brother was named after him.

I used a simple white on kraft backing for my page to go with the sepia tones in the photo.

An old-fashioned ledger pattern covers the 8x8"paper that grounds the center, 

and an overlay of cheesecloth softens everything & gives a wispy, ethereal feeling.

A simple embossed kraft chipboard butterfly adorns the top.

The tag in the waxed envelope contains a copy of his obituary.

It's funny - there are no dates - just a sweet blurb about him.

I copied the back as well as it had retro advertising on it.

It's in a little pocket so it can be removed & looked at,

and my journaling is on the back of the tag.

Thanks for stopping by!

042716 Happy Birthday, Blog!

Time flies so quickly

that I forgot to mark this last year!

What fun it is to share with y'all.

Life is blessedly full.

xoxoxo

Thanks for stopping by!

042716 May Archi-scraps Challenge

Challenge: use something reflective + layers

I loved the big blue sky with birds & the building like a fan of silver.

I knew right away that I was going to use these mirrored feathers 

from DCWV for the May Archi-scraps challenge above.

I did a little channeling of my inner Ashli Oliver aka soapHOUSEmama after 

revisiting her The Softer Side and Embellish: DIY Style classes this past weekend.

Lots of layering & little bits, some anchored in white acrylic paint.

The photo is from our Alaskan vacation last summer.

Thanks for stopping by!

041616 CKC April Challenge #3

Ephemera Encapsulated

Challenge #3: Choose a little bit of everyday life to incorporate into a project this month. Use it on a layout, in a mini-book; add it to an off the page project; or simply stick it in a note book with a little bit of journaling - just like when you were a teenager!

This got my thinking cap on, so I sat down with a 

nice hot cup of Constant Comment tea with sugar & milk...
 That cute little red tag was calling my name!
A quick rummage through my kit revealed the teacup chipboard accent.

I really wanted to use some of the frames in my kit,
so I developed this title block idea.
Using that grey stripe behind all of the elements was
supposed to make them cohesive but I'm not sure it worked.

 Being the cart-before-the-horse scrapper that I am, I then started thinking about a photo!
Our trips overseas with Aunie were the obvious choice & I knew I had the perfect pic.

I added a little touch of that grey stripe again on the photo corners + some stitching,
and then a last-ditch but unsuccessful effort to pop the photo with the doily behind it.

 When my page started to come together, I had a few more design issues (as usual.)
With the busy background I felt my eye wasn't going where I wanted it to.
I added the flags to the start of the title & the tiny red button to the start of the story.

I'm still not totally thrilled but I love so much about this page I don't care
 if the visual triangle police or the balanced design patrol busts me, lol!

My favorite little detail is the lady at the bottom right.
  I couldn't resist giving her the giant lacy teacup  :D

Check out your cereal box or your soup can label today,
or perhaps a postage stamp or sale advert in the mail.
Inspiration & creative sparks abound!

Be sure to post on the Linky so we can admire your handiwork.

Thanks for stopping by!

041416 WM#208 Inspired by String Art

Wow! 

How does she do it?

Lisa is always on trend with the latest & greatest!

This week's Whimsical Musings prompt #208

got me looking for inspiration.

I liked this:

by Eva Pizzaro

Gor-geous string art!

I had downloaded some printables of gem shapes for my June 2015 Counterfeit 

Kit, "Lightbender", and decided to modify one to use as my string art pattern.

LINK

Now that I look at the full sheet here, I wish I had used the diamond at the top.

I used an awl to make the holes, which makes it much easier to pull the floss through 

than just poking with the needle & also keeps the floss from shredding.

I really wish I had had some thick silver floss to work this with.

I didn't have any border treatment in mind, but as always my page wasn't centered very well.

I managed to pare off an even amount to reveal the scattered triangles Felicity Jane paper.

Using a stamp from this month's FJ kit gave that sense of movement around the edges.

I was determined to sparkle this page up in every way I could.

Glitter alphas for the title were a natural!

I used some wood veneers to cut the sweetness a bit.

Addie's icon is a flamingo, and as this one was wearing a crown it was the perfect embelli.

I even found the perfect swirly blingy flourish to decorate it's wing.

I'm glad I got a chance to put that journaling down as I'm sure it will prove true in future!

So happy that I'm keeping up with the WM 200s.

Stay tuned for the next prompt on Monday morning!

Thanks for stopping by!

041216 CKC April Challenge #2

C'est Magnifique, N'est Pas?

Challenge # 2: Choose any project from the C'est Magnifique February Kit Posts and let it inspire you! Don't forget to let us know where you found your inspiration when you link up your projects!

I chose this layout by C'est Magnifique 
Design Team Member Shanna Shands to scraplift:

her process video HERE

  I was eager to use the wooden frame in my kit,
and I loved the idea of framing up a tag.
That gave me much less real estate than working on an entire page!

I used this gold foil Wildflower Thickers word "xoxo" for my title.
I painted my frame gold but I wish I had foiled it with a grungy shabby treatment.

Here's a good look at the tag:

I lifted the crepe paper idea from these tags in Susan's kit this month!

 
Here's the full page.
I chose that fab Felicity Jane background paper with a nod to some hidden symbolism (Whimsical Musings prompt #205) going on with  the roses. There are some beautiful woven roses on the preciously hoarded scrap of antique ribbon at the top & the Prima flower is also a rose - all a nod to Alex's nickname when she was little. 

This photo is the peaches enjoying an Easter weekend outing. 
Sure wish they weren't so far away :(

I would venture to guess that there is something for everyone in the gallery,
so click on the link at the prompt above to find your magnifique inspiration!
Don't forget to link up so we can enjoy your creativity.

Thanks for stopping by!

040616 CKC April Challenge #1

Shabby Chic Techniques

Challenge #1: Choose a 'shabby chic' technique or two to incorporate into a project - stamping, layering, distressing, inking, etc.

I collected quite a few "shabby chic" images 

for inspiration and these made the cut for this page.

I loved the richness of the dark wood, the crusty wall & one

of my papers has the look of that rose strewn bedding.

I used the 7 Gypsies chipboard alphas for the word "Spring" (I did re-cover some with my own papers) 

and the ancient Little Yellow Bicycle "hello" clear word sticker to create my title.

I added a good bit of Dylusions white mist on the rose paper to tone down both the 

saturation of the colors & the dark dingy color of the  background stripes.

 My magenta butterfly didn't make it to the kit reveal photo shoot but I knew I had it in my stash!

The Leaky Shed Studio chipboard swirly floral element turned out great with a drybrush whitewash 

& a gentle spritz of Heidi Swapp Black Velvet Color Shine to mimic flyspecks.

I really worked that rose paper over - creasing, tearing, crumpling & then distressing the edges.

You may notice the tiny yet perfect snail in this portion of my photo.

That was a delightful surprise when I did my edit & crop!

This is a rather extreme close-up & it was not discernible on the camera screen. 

I love how the dark wood frame is a great counterpoint to all of the light & airy elements.

That Felicity Jane exclusive paper plus the white plank second background were add-ons

to my kit, as all of my papers were only 8x8" and I knew I would be needing backgrounds.

I used to try to force my kit to provide everything but ended up with pages I didn't love
so now I stash dive as needed & am much more satisfied with my finished pieces.

I always do at least one springtime garden shot layout.

Here in Michigan it is a highly anticipated event & worth marking.

The gorgeous color in my tiny scilla blossom doesn't strike 

a wrong note as Shabby Chic style can be amazingly neutral
and often uses organic forms in its designs.

So take on the challenge!

Find your own niche in the wide range of shabby chicness
and add it to the Linky so we can leave you some love.

Thanks for stopping by!

040116 CKC April Counterfeit Kit Reveal

Our kit to counterfeit this month has no lack of them!

First let's give a shout out to our April Guest Designer, 

the lovely Louise from Boys, Bugs and Beautiful Buttons!

Now let's introduce C'est Magnifique's "Enchanted Garden" February kit.

Video reveal HERE plus post includes list of items.

Kaisercraft's "Treasured Moments" line is featured.

Care to see my take?

Let's take a peek in the Magic Blue Box!

It's everything my vintage/collage heart could desire...

I built my kit around my 8x8" pad of 7 Gypsies 2012  "Trousseau" papers:

Here's the full (and I mean F-U-L-L!) kit:

Lots of frames, ribbons, doilies, flowers, keys, chipboard -
I even found a piece of beaded & sequined black netting!
I tossed in some stencils in the hopes of doing some mixed media this month.

 

More than one of the Master Forgers mentioned scrapping
some heritage photos this month. This seems the perfect kit for it.

Now hop along to the second "L", and if you didn't start at the beginning, don't miss a thing!
Once inspired, dive into your stash & collect all the elements that speak to your scrappy heart.
Then post to the Linky so that we might be inspired by YOU!

 CKC
Our Guest Designer, Louise
Clair
Jemma
Julene
Kelly 

You are here:  Leslie
Go here NOW: Lisa
Margie
Susan
Stephanie
Susanne

Thanks for stopping by!